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Foofoo (or Fufu)
is a much-beloved staple diet through most of West Africa.
It is usually topped by some sort of a sauce or it is served
as a rather bland accompaniment of a main dish. It can be
prepared with everything from rice, yams, and plantains to
yucca, manioc, or even instant mashed potatoes. Conventional
west African Fufu is made by boiling such starchy foods as
cassava, yam, plantain or rice, then pounding them into a
glutinous mass— usually in a giant, wooden mortar and
pestle, or .by pounding and beating the ingredients in a
mortar with a wooden spoon. (This hard work can be easily
substituted by a food processor.)
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Bring 6 cups
of unsalted water to a rapid boil in a large, heavy pot.
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Add the
instant potatoes into the water.
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Stir
constantly for 10-15 minutes.
This
phase is easiest if two people work together: one to
hold the pot while the other stirs vigorously with a
strong implement (such as a thick wooden spoon). The
mixture will become very, very thick and difficult to
stir, so unless you are both vigilant and energetic,
you'll get a lumpy mess.
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When the fufu
is ready (or you've stirred to the limits of your
endurance), dump about a cup of the mixture into a wet
bowl and shake until it forms itself into a smooth ball.
Serve on a large platter alongside a soup or stew.
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